Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer

“I cried,” she described her reaction to the news. “It was

difficult.” Her OB/GYN recommended that she see a women’s

cancer specialist. Bailey read about endometrial cancer on the

internet and researched different treatment options and doctors.

She found Robert Kim, MD a board-certified Gynecologic Oncolo-

gist at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. “Dr. Kim was able to see us

within a day after I called to make my appointment. It helped ease

my anxiety that I was able to be seen right away. For my first visit,

I prepared a long list of questions, and Dr. Kim explained everything

in a clear manner. He explained my condition and why my tumor

had grown. Both my husband and I felt comfortable and knew that

we were in good hands.”

According to Dr. Kim, “When I see a new patient that has been

diagnosed with endometrial cancer, I explain where the cancer is

located, why the cancer appeared, and more importantly, all of the

available treatment options. When I presented Jennifer with the

robotic-assisted surgery option, I explained that most patients go

home the next day and return to work in

half of the time compared to traditional

surgery. We find that most patients

require little-to-no pain medication.

The da Vinci® robot uses tiny instru-

ments and 3-D vision which enables us

to make small incisions that look better

and minimize blood loss to avoid

transfusion.”

Jennifer Bailey of Brockton, MA first thought that her pelvic

pain and irregular menstrual cycles were stress related.

She decided to see her doctor when the discomfort did

not subside. On December 8, 2009, the 39 year-old was

diagnosed with endometrial cancer, a common cancer

that forms in the tissue lining of the uterus.

Robert J. Kim, MD

Practice Locations: St. Margaret’s Center for Women & Infants at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center736 Cambridge StreetBrighton, MA 02135 Phone: (617) 562-7406 Fax: (617) 562-7021

Good Samaritan Medical Center235 North Pearl StreetBrockton, MA 02301 Phone: (508) 427-2222 Fax: (508) 427-2545 Holy Family Hospital70 East StreetMethuen, MA 01844 Phone: (978) 687-0540 Fax: (978) 689-7353

Certification: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Medical Education: University of California, Davis

Fellowship: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Clinical Interest: Gynecological Oncology; Gynecologic Surgery

Specialties: Gynecologic Oncology and Robotic Assisted Surgery

Robert J. Kim, MD

“They answered all my questions. They saved my life. I am so thankful to have the

best team in Boston take care of me. I really felt like it was a team approach with

Dr. Kim and his staff....”“The night before the surgery, Dr. Kim called me to

answer any of my last minute questions. I was so impressed

that he called to make sure that I was okay,” Bailey recalls.

When describing her surgery, she recounts there was no

pain, just five little incisions on her stomach. With the help of

St. E’s staff and support of her loved ones, Bailey recovered

quicker than she had expected and was able to walk around

on the night of her operation. She has told everyone about

her experience and highly recommends Dr. Kim. “The St. E’s

staff was great,” she commented. “They answered all my

questions. They saved my life. I am so thankful to have the

best team in Boston take care of me. I really felt like it was

a team approach with Dr. Kim and his staff.” Fortunately,

Bailey’s cancer was caught in the earliest stage before it had

spread. Dr. Kim counsels that 80% of endometrial cancers

are caught in the earliest stages and can often be cured with

surgery alone by a gynecologic oncologist.

Dr. Kim adds, “St. E’s offers a unique post-treatment

plan for our patients. All of our cancer cases are presented

at our multidisciplinary Tumor Board conference consisting of

gynecologic, radiation, and medical oncologists and cancer

In this way, patients receive a second, third and fourth

opinion. We feel blessed that St. Elizabeth’s philosophy

is that every patient is treated as a person. We can provide

the most advanced treatments along with the personal

time and attention tailored to each patient and her unique

situation. St. E’s is where they come for their robotic surgery.

But I like to perform all of the follow-up visits and treatments

in places closer to our patient’s homes like Brockton

and Methuen. We realize the importance of family and

community in the well-being of our patients, so we bring

our special talents and team to them.”

For more information, call (617) 562-7406.